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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
An Abuja-based journalist, Amaechi Anakwue, has filed fresh evidence in his N200 million suit against the Enugu State Government over the alleged unlawful takeover of a parcel of land in Enugu.
Anakwue, who works with Africa Independent Television (AIT) and DAAR Communications Ltd, is asking the court to declare him the bona fide owner of Plot 137, Independence Layout Phase II, Enugu, and restrain the defendants from re-allocating or interfering with the property.
The dispute concerns an alleged trespass and takeover which Anakwue said occurred during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who governed Enugu State between 2015 and 2023.
In an additional written deposition dated January 1, 2026, Anakwue told the court that he is the beneficial owner of the property, having acquired his interest through a chain of title originating from Benard Onuigwe Orji, the original holder of a statutory Right of Occupancy registered as No. 89, page 89, volume 1574.
According to him, Orji transferred his interest to Pascal Eneh through an irrevocable power of attorney, which was subsequently registered by the Registrar of Deeds at the Enugu State Ministry of Lands.
Anakwue said he acquired the remaining interest in the property from Eneh in 2014 and registered the transaction after paying the prescribed fees. He argued that the registration and acceptance of the statutory payments amounted to official recognition of his interest by the Enugu State Government.
The journalist further maintained that neither Orji’s title nor Eneh’s interest was validly revoked before he acquired the land.
He alleged that the Enugu State Government and the Attorney General failed to serve his predecessor with the required notice of revocation signed by the governor or an authorised public officer.
He also claimed that the purported revocation was never published in the official Gazette.
Anakwue further accused the first defendant, Offiah Lordrick M., of entering and occupying the property without his consent.
He said he never authorised Offiah to occupy the land either as a tenant or under any other arrangement, describing the alleged occupation as a continuing act of trespass and an infringement of his proprietary rights.
According to him, he reported the matter to a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Lands, who visited the property to verify the complaint.
He also said he petitioned the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development but had received no response.
Anakwue alleged that the commissioner failed to intervene or restrain the first defendant despite being informed of the dispute.
Through his lawyer, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, Anakwue is seeking a declaration that he is the lawful owner of the property and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from re-allocating, transferring or otherwise interfering with the land.
The defendants are Offiah Lordrick M.; the Enugu State Government; the Attorney General of Enugu State; and the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development.
In their response, the second to fourth defendants, represented by W.I. Ezenwukwa, Director of Civil Litigation, asked the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as vexatious and lacking in merit.
The claims remain allegations before the court, which has yet to determine the ownership dispute.
